Mark Calvelo Buyers Guide

B U Y E R S

W I T H

M A R K

G U I D E

C A L V E L O

ABOUT MARK CALVELO REALTOR®, ENTREPRENEUR, FRIEND I created the Complete Real Estate Group, to provide the most complete and comprehensive real estate solutions. Our team was founded on the principle of genuine and caring service; so we consistently exceed all customer expectations, providing a memorable experience and exceptional value in everything that we do. We pride ourselves on giving all of our clients the most precise and up-to-date feedback on the state of the market, its trends, comparable sales, and property value – giving them a realistic outlook and helping them learn what they can expect to achieve in today’s market.

“Real estate matters because people matter. Their wants, needs and desires are something that motivates me to help them reach their real estate goals!”

"Real estate matters because people matter. Their wants, needs and desires are something that motivates me to help you reach your real estate goals!"

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My Story “I have failed over and over and over again in my life. that is why I succeed.�

It was November 1st, 1996 – my life would change forever.

It was a beautiful afternoon, sunny blue clear skies. The roads were dry with no sign of snow in sight. I remember driving with a good friend, feeling great, however, things would quickly change.

While driving my car, without notice, I got side-swiped, car spinning out of control, crossing all lanes of the road, head-on towards a solid concrete wall.

After the impact, my car rebounded off the wall and went 9 -10 feet in the air. When the car came to a stop, the driver of the car that hit us pulled in front of us. I thought the driver was going to stop and come out of the car – when suddenly the car took off. It was a hit and run. Later, the driver was caught by the police and it was revealed that the driver had no car insurance. It was a terrifying ordeal, but fortunately my friend was ok. As for me, I appeared to be okay but that day was the day my life would change forever and unknowingly for the next year. At that time, I was a premiere basketball talent and was looking forward to playing with the Alberta Juvenile Provincial Basketball Team. One day during practice, I noticed things felt different. Something I had spent thousands of hours, hundreds of days, and many years mastering now didn’t seem so recognizable. My timing was off, my hands were shaky and my vision was blurry. I just didn’t feel right. After an entire year, my body had quickly deteriorated where each and everyday became a nightmare. I was eventually referred to a Neurologist and had an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan done on my brain. After 2 weeks, I was called to come discuss the results with my Neurologist. It was found that my Cerebellum became herniated due to the force of my car hitting the concrete wall.

I was given two options. First option was to do nothing. No medication, no surgery. However, within 3-5 years, my body would continue to rapidly deteriorate, my motor skills would be gone and I would eventually become a vegetable. My second option was to go through brain surgery with a not so favourable chance of survival during surgery. In other words, I had no great options. God, my Neurosurgeon and the medical team would have been the only ones to get me through this situation, but I had little hope and made preparations for the worst.

Surgery was performed in 1997. After the surgery, I remember waking up and thinking I was dead, but quickly realized I had pulled through. However, the road ahead would not be a bed of roses because it took months, which turned into 3 years of me re-learning how to crawl, walk and talk again. Playing basketball was not even part of the plan for me anymore, I was just fighting and working hard to do basic movements and activities. I was happy to be alive. Just when I thought I was improving, 3 years later in 2000. I began to feel the same symptoms I was feeling after the accident. Again I went to see my neurologist. Although the first surgery was a success, I was once again faced with the decision regarding my life. Should I try and go through another surgery, knowing that the risks were even greater this time around? Or accept my fate, not go through another brain surgery and hope to cherish the little time I would have left with family and friends? I was crushed and devastated, but I found the strength and courage to fight once again and that’s what I did. My second brain surgery was performed in 2000. After the surgery, I woke up thinking, “Did I do it again? No way I could have beaten the odds once more!!” Two times, I miraculously pulled through situations that were simply unthinkable. So once again, it was time to get back to work. Over the next 3 years, as I mentioned earlier, I again re-learned how to crawl, walk and talk again. It really hit me hard and I no longer took anything in life for granted. I not only cherished humility, but I found happiness with a reason, a purpose and a why to live: To help people to live a better life.

bio

I surrounded myself with positivity and embraced people from all walks of life. I have become a mentor; a loving father and a devoted worker-bee who never hesitates to lend a helping hand or share my story.

So here I am today. Healthy and in good spirits – grounded by gratitude and truly loving life. My experiences have lead me to believe that smarts, hard work and the desire to fight will only result into success. I believe in the quality of a person’s character and integrity. I believe in people and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Real estate is just one of several things I truly enjoy doing. Not because of the lifestyle it provides for me –but because of the positive life-changing possibilities I can help provide for someone else.

This is my testimony, my journey straight from the heart.

buying

TIP ONE: “Knowing your financial situation is an important part of the process. It will help you evaluate your preferences when searching for a home.�

BUYERS INFO 1. MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE It is very important to evaluate yourself and your situation to help ensure that buying a home is the right decision for you. We believe in full disclosure and the importance of planning. Some questions you should ask yourself are: What reasons are prompting you to move and what is your preferred timeline? Have you been through the pre-approval process? If so, what amount have you been approved for? When we find the right home for you, are you prepared to make an offer?

2. YOUR LIFESTYLE Deciding on what type of home you want to live in is just as important as deciding on where you want to live. For some, location is everything. For others, the details of a home are what matters.

It is essential that you decide what is most important to you and what type of lifestyle you truly desire.

3. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Another important decision during the buying process is proximity to influential aspects such as Schools, Work, Grocery Stores and amenities such as Shopping Centers, Restaurants, Parks and Recreation Centers. These things define your lifestyle choice and are not only necessary, but also convenient.

GET PRE-APPROVED FOR YOUR HOME LOAN There’s a big difference between a Buyer being pre-qualified and a Buyer who has a Pre-Approved Mortgage. Anybody can get Pre-Qualified for a Loan. Getting Pre-Approved means a Lender has looked at all of your financial information and they’ve let you know how much you can afford and how much they will lend you. Being Pre-Approved will save you a lot of time and energy so you are not running around looking at houses you can’t afford. It also gives you the opportunity to shop around for the best deal and the best Interest Rates. Do your research: Learn about Junk Fees, Processing Fees or Points and make sure there aren’t any hidden costs in the Loan.

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Expert in: NEGOTIATION

KNOWING YOU’RE DEALING WITH A SMART NEGOTIATOR First, ask them to provide their Sales Results and compare their Closing Prices to the Asking Prices. Find out if the difference meets your expectations and the Market Average.

Second, ask them to provide a strategy for negotiations and never accept “We will do that when we get there.” Many Agents are not prepared to sell your home; and prove that by not having a detailed plan. Preparation is key to successfully selling your property and negotiations start even before you get an offer. Third, find out if they are “Straight-Line Negotiators” and if they are willing to walk away if any offer is not in your best interest. Not selling a home just to sell is usually the best decision you can make. If an agent is ever forceful in trying to make you accept an offer, he usually doesn’t have your best interest in mind. By utilizing partnerships and being a Smart Negotiator, the final result will most of the time lead to a successful execution of the sale of your home. It will also land you the most money in your pocket, the least stress and grant peace of mind moving forward. Ultimately, all Agents should strive to accomplish this. We do!

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Expert in: COMMUNICATION

STEP-BY-STEP COMMUNICATION FROM START TO FINISH Throughout the years, we learn to cherish every moment; appreciate the relationships we cultivate and understand the key component involved: Communication. Without it, there is confusion along with a lack of responsibility and accountability – therefore, could lead to important missed opportunities. We strive to provide constant Communication throughout the entire Buying Process. From the day you meet me, we provide insightful information and a complete understanding of what may lie ahead. It’s important to us that you are an informed Buyer so that you can make educated decisions and have an understanding of all possible decisions both negative and positive. From the time you meet us, you will see our desire to help you. This all starts with constant Updates, Suggestions, Changes, and a Step-by-Step Schedule of the process. We want you to be an informed Buyer. Communication is the key to unlock all your current and future prospects.

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NEEDS & WANTS WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU? MOTIVATION Why have you decided to buy a home?

TIMING Are you flexible in timing or are we working towards a certain date?

PRICING What is your price range?

DECISION MAKING Will anyone else (family member, partner) be involved in the transaction?

LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION. What communities do you prefer or are you not sure yet?

HOME TYPE Are you looking for Condo, Townhome, Single Family, etc?

HOME SIZE How much Square Footage are you after and how many Bedrooms/Bathrooms, etc. are you looking for?

LOT SIZE What size yard meets your needs?

FLOOR PLAN What is important to you in the layout of your home?

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE Is there a particular style you prefer? Bungalow, Two-Story, Split-Level, etc.? “Making decisions with your heart is often less practical than making it with your head. Your choice matters!”

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Making decisions with your heart is often less practical than making it with your head. Your choice matters!

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about you

Real estate is about so much more than just buying and selling homes.

It’s about helping people achieve their real estate goals.

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money

TIP TWO: “Finding the mortgage that’s right for you is an important part of the process. A Flexible Mortgage can give you options in case your situation changes.”

MORTGAGES GETTING STARTED You’ve decided you want to buy a home. Now what? The first – and most important step to the home buying process is financing. You can’t do anything until you know how much you can afford. To get started, you need to understand what Lenders are looking for from a Borrower. There are three main factors that help determine if you qualify for Home Financing: Income, Assets, and Credit History.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MORTGAGES Getting a Mortgage is one thing. Getting a Mortgage that best suits your situation is another. Some Mortgages have fewer strings attached, but have stricter stipulations, while others may be harder to get, but instead have more flexibility. It is important to have all the information about Mortgages available to you before you decide to move forward in the purchase of a home. Find out how the Complete Real Estate Group can help you find the Mortgage that best suits you.

INCOME & ASSETS Most Loan Programs require the Lender to verify all of your Income Sources. Typically you will need to provide pay stubs, your T-4 and copies of your tax returns. Lenders will also want to go through your Assets and how much of a Down Payment you will have when determining your Loan Approval.

CREDIT HISTORY All Lenders review a Borrower’s Credit History to determine the type of Credit used, the Amount Owed, and the Borrower’s Re-payment History.

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WHY CHOOSE RE/MAX? Buying or Selling a home is likely the largest and most important transaction you’ll ever make. That’s why so many trust RE/MAX: the most widely recognized Real Estate brand in the world. For more than 20 years, RE/MAX has been the leading Real Estate organization in Canada. By providing the best Training, Administrative and Marketing Support – Brokers and agents are free to focus on what they do best: Sell Real Estate.

LET’S GIVE YOUR HOME MORE ONLINE EXPOSURE! Our innovative site connects Sellers with Buyers and gives you access to Potential Listings that fit your criteria before they are exposed to the masses. We use the Internet and all online tools to help find the home that best suits you. With more than 90% of Buyers checking the web, getting online is the most effective and efficient way to find your next home.

Our web presence and Online Network will help speed up this process. Below shows that 99% of people search for a home using three main search engines. We make sure to connect to these sources in order to utilize every avenue, including our own, in order to find that ideal home for you.

81% 12% 6% TRUSTED ADVICE The Internet has provided us with great access to view homes online and made the home searching process more efficient. However, it is important to view homes in person as well. As the Buyer, it is important to get a larger perspective and better feel of the home you are interested in buying by seeing it live and in person to give you the best frame of reference.

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BUYERS PREPARATION You’re ready to buy - or maybe you’re just ready to start seriously thinking about buying. There’s a lot you can do to prepare. With so much information available at your fingertips, you may already be doing a lot of your own research. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you get started…

DETERMINE YOUR PRICE RANGE The best place to start when buying a home is to find out how much house you can afford. We can refer you to a Mortgage Broker who can assist you with determining how much of a down payment you can afford, comfortable monthly payment and the type of Loan that fits your needs best. Serious Buyers who are highly motivated should go through the effort of getting pre-approved; not only will this allow you to focus your home search, but it will also position you as a serious Buyer in the eyes of the Sellers when the time comes to make an offer.

MAKE A LIST AND PRIORITIZE Imagine your ideal home and location. Now make a list of everything you envisioned, take that list and break it down from high to low priority. High-Priority items are the things you cannot live without in your new home (Large Bedrooms, Large Closets, High-End Appliances, proximity to Amenities and Schools, etc.). Lower-Priority items are those that are an added bonus, but not necessary (Jetted-Tub, Landscaped Yard, etc.).

TOUR HOMES IN PERSON AND ONLINE Some people look at several homes before finding just the right one. And others find “The One” immediately. Thanks to the Internet, you can streamline your Search Process significantly by viewing homes for sale Online. You can visit Open Houses and preview everything that’s for sale in your market on one of our websites.

HOME INSPECTIONS PREFERENCES, QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS It is a good idea to make sure what you think you are buying is indeed the Property you are buying.

It is so important to feel comfortable with your purchase during the Home Buying experience.

Feeling comfortable starts with Financing, but then leads into feeling confident that your purchase is sound. Having a Professional Home Inspector is the way to gain peace of mind. A proper Inspection will cover all areas of the house both structurally and mechanically and give you an objective view of the Property. A qualified Home Inspector will also provide you with a written report indicating areas of concern and the estimated cost of repairs. Having a professional home inspector is the way to gain peace of mind. A proper inspection will cover all areas of the house both structurally and mechanically and give you an objective view of the property. A qualified home inspector will also provide you with a written report indicating areas of concern and the estimated cost of repairs.

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preparation

Finding a home that fits your criteria matters to you.

That’s why we make it a high priority – because what matters to you, matters to us!

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checklist

TIP THREE: “Don’t forget about the Move.

Plan your Move ahead of time to ensure there are less bumps and hiccups on Possession Day.”

MOVING CHECKLIST PREPARING YOUR NEXT MOVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION It is important that you use this checklist in order to be well prepared when buying a home. The last thing you would want to happen is to move into a home without the necessities in life such as Electricity, Gas, Water, or Work/School related services such as Internet/Phone, etc. Be sure everything is in order to keep things running smoothly during the Buying Process. If you need assistance, we are always here to lend a helping hand. It’s what we do!

UTILITY PROVIDERS • Electricity Providers • Telephone Providers • Water & Sewage • Cable & Internet Providers • Gas Providers

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • Broker • Accountant • Doctor • Dentist • Lawyer

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS • CRA • Post Office • Schools • Provincial Licensing • Library • Veterans Administration

BUSINESS ACCOUNTS • Banking Institutions • Cell Phone Providers • Department Stores • Financial Companies • Credit Card Companies

INSURANCE COMPANIES • Accidental Insurance • Auto Insurance • Health Insurance • Benefits Provider • Home Insurance • Life Insurance

CLUBS & MISCELLANEOUS • Country Club • Health & Fitness Club • Recreation Club • Book Club • Other Club

TRUSTED ADVICE PREFERENCES, QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS Throughout the searching process, many questions will arise. Common preferences are Floor Plan/ Layout, Local Amenities, Schools, Level of Crime, Demographics, Quality of Life, Price Range, Age of Home and more. These preferences should always be taken into account by your Agent to speed up the process and allow you to find the ideal home sooner rather than later.

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When and what SHOULD I OFFER?

THE OFFER PROCESS NEGOTIATING THE RIGHT WAY We take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating Contractual Terms very seriously. It is our job to find a winwin Agreement that is beneficial to all parties involved. You may even have to deal with multiple offers, so make sure that yours is strong if you really want the home. As your Agents, we will guarantee a thorough and objective assessment of the home’s true value to help you make the right choice.

THE INITIAL AGREEMENT AND DEPOSIT An effective Agreement is a legal arrangement between a Potential Purchaser and the Property’s Seller. Laws vary, but in order to be a legally binding Agreement, the Agreement may require consideration. This consideration (initial and additional deposit) is to be held in trust pending the fulfilment of Conditions or Contingencies in the effective Agreement.

KEEP WRITTEN RECORDS OF EVERYTHING For the sake of clarity, it will be extremely useful to transcribe all Verbal Agreements including Counter-Offers and Addendums, and convert them to Written Agreements to be signed by both parties. We will assist you in drafting all the paperwork for your Sale and make sure that you have copies of everything.

STICK TO THE SCHEDULE Now that you have made an Offer, you and the Seller will be given a Timeline to mark every stage in the process of closing the Real Estate Contract. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smoother flow of negotiations and also ensures that each party involved is not in breach of their Agreements. During the process we will keep you constantly updated so you will always be prepared for the next step.

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Our complete Concierge Service takes all that’s involved in moving and makes it easy.

We look after you during every step of the process, with everything from getting you the best Mortgage to transferring your Media and Utilities.

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Proudly supporting:

WE’LL SORT OUT YOUR MORTGAGE... AND DO THE PLANNING. • Custom mortgage solutions with the best terms and rates • Mortgage options assessment • Mortgage provider and product matching • Budget review and preparation and much more.

WE’LL HELP YOU BUY...AND SELL. • Source, compare quotes, arrange and manage • Home inspection • Legal Assistance • Schedule appointments and meetings and much more.

WE’LL GET THE BEST QUOTES AND ORGANIZE YOUR MOVES. • Move options and budget assessment • Source, compare quotes, arrange and manage • Cleaning services • Moving boxes, supplies, packing, moving, storage and more.

WE’LL GET YOU ALL SETTLED IN WITH EASE. • Source, compare quotes, arrange and manage:

Unpacking, Organizing, TV mounting, Home security

Home audio, Handyman service, Locksmith, Space planning

Renovations • Transfer internet, TV and phone, forward mail, and more.

ABOUT US Calgary Health Trust is a Calgary-based charity focused on fundraising that will transform health care in Alberta. The incredible generosity of our donors has helped to raise more than $427 million for health care since 1996. Funds raised benefit Foothills Medical Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre, Rockyview General Hospital, South Health Campus, many community health programs and 12 Carewest care centres in our community.

CHT

“We’ve always put our hearts where our homes are, and by donating a portion of our net proceeds from every sale supporting the Calgary Health Trust, we’re able to change even more lives for the better. “ “WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF CHANGING LIVES”

In partnership with

Proudly supporting: We’ll sweat the details for you.

Our complete concierge service takes all that’s involved in moving and makes it easy. We look after you every step of the process, with everything from getting you the best mortgage to transferring your media and utilities.

WE’LL SORT OUT YOUR MORTGAGE. AND DO THE PLANNING. • Custom mortgage solutions with the best terms and rates • Mortgage options assessment • Mortgage provider and product matching • Budget review and preparation • Customized move planning • Arrange and manage - Junk removal - Decluttering - Donations - Home staging • Customized Virtuo™ mobile app setup

WE’LL HELP YOU BUY. AND SELL.

• Source, compare quotes, arrange and manage - Home inspection - Legal • Schedule appointments and meetings • Customized Virtuo™ app management - Property ratings on the go - Document storage - Task management - Budget updates • Home sale/purchase plan execution • Client advocacy

WE’LL GET THE BEST QUOTES AND ORGANIZE YOUR MOVE.

• Move options and budget assessment • Source, compare quotes, arrange and manage - Cleaning services - Moving boxes and supplies - Packing - Moving and storage • Move plan execution • Client advocacy • Invoice auditing • Quality control and claim assistance

• Invoice auditing

WE’LL GET YOU ALL SETTLED IN. WITH EASE. • Source, compare quotes, arrange and manage - Unpacking - Organizing - TV mounting - Home security - Home audio - Handyman service - Locksmith - Space planning - Renovations • Transfer internet, TV, phone and utilities • Mail forwarding and mailbox registration • Change of address notification

• Garbage and recycling

• Quality control

• Settling-in plan execution • Client advocacy • Invoice auditing • Quality control and dispute resolution

Donations from sales supporting Calgary Health Trust

Powered by

403-829-3158 info@completerealestaegroup.com

TRACK WITH THE VIRTUO™ APP.

YOU’LL BENEFIT. • Unbeatable mortgage rates

• Time savings (on average 40 hours)

• Unbiased client advocate

• Less stress and less headache

• Exclusive partner discounts

• Enhanced satisfaction and experience

• Dedicated personal move assistant

• Work with a curated team of experts

• Everything organized and in one place

• Peace of mind

With Virtuo’s app, you’ll be kept up to date every step of the way.

You can track your Personal Move Assistant’s progress, rate homes on the go, check off to-dos, view appointments, store documents, invoices and much more.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AND ATTENTION

Mark and his team are very professional and hard working. He was extremely responsive to any questions we had and helped make the Process as smooth as possible for us as First Time Homebuyers.

We know he put in the extra effort to fight for us and you really feel that he values the relationship he has with his clients. A friend recommended me to him, and I would do the same for anyone wanting the complete experience. He also has a great personal story. His story is WHY he is the great person he is.

– Sarah & Mike

THE INSIGHT HE GAVE US WAS BRILLIANT

Mark is the most competent and savvy Real Estate Agent we have ever met. My husband and I have worked with many Agents and he is superior to the rest. Our last Sale had 5 offers above asking because of him! From Start to Finish he was in constant contact, bringing us back down to earth when we were stressed and always giving us the latest Market Updates and Comparables to get us the best price. The insight he gave us was nothing short of brilliant. The tiny, inexpensive, tweaks to stage our home made it a Show-Stopper! He makes it a point to be available at all times. As you know, Real Estate deals never sleep. He is an incredibly hard worker and my husband and I highly recommend him (as a person and a Real Estate expert) for Buying and Selling your home!

– Pam & Matt

LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TRUSTWORTHY?

Mark is a fantastic Realtor! He treated me like a VIP and I was very impressed with how responsive he was… whether it was Weekends or Holidays. He always got back to me and answered all of my questions in a very friendly and professional manner. I highly recommend him if you are looking for someone trustworthy, knowledgeable and nice. Five very enthusiastic stars!

- Vicky

SMART AND FUNNY

I can’t say enough good things about Mark Calvelo! As an Agent, he is truly a partner in the best sense of the word, helping navigate the often-confusing world of Real Estate. He never tries to sell you on a Property but rather simply supports you in exploring and showing you properties that will best suit your Needs, Desires, Limits, Likes, etc. In addition to being very bright and knowledgeable about the Real Estate Market, he is also just really easy to be with – smart, funny and very cute. This is super important when looking for someone who you’re going to spend time with; someone who you’re going to be with as you make difficult decisions; someone you will need to be in touch with through stressful times. I have no doubt that he enabled me to find the best properties available for me, places that have been just perfect. I also have no doubt that he is the best possible Negotiator I could have found. And at the same time, I knew he was great to work with and a good person – things that are important.

- Nicole

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In partnership with

We’ll sweat the details for you.

Our complete concierge service takes all that’s involved in moving and makes it easy. We look after you every step of the process, with everything

WE’LL SORT OUT YOUR MORTGAGE. AND DO THE PLANNING. • Custom mortgage solutions with the best terms and rates • Mortgage options assessment • Mortgage provider and product matching • Budget review and preparation • Customized move planning • Arrange and manage - Junk removal - Decluttering

WE’LL HELP YOU BUY. AND SELL. • Source, compare quotes, arrange and manage - Home inspection - Legal • Schedule appointments and meetings • Customized Virtuo™ app management - Property ratings on the go - Document storage - Task management - Budget updates • Home sale/purchase plan execution

WE’LL GET THE BEST QUOTES AND ORGANIZE YOUR MOVE. • Move options and budget assessment • Source, compare quotes, arrange and manage - Cleaning services - Moving boxes and supplies - Packing - Moving and storage • Move plan execution • Client advocacy • Invoice auditing • Quality control and

WE’LL GET YOU ALL SETTLED IN. WITH EASE. • Source, compare quotes, arrange and manage - Unpacking - Organizing - TV mounting - Home security - Home audio - Handyman service - Locksmith - Space planning - Renovations • Transfer internet, TV, phone and utilities • Mail forwarding and mailbox registration

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY

MARK CALVELO 205, 525 28 Street SE Calgary, AB T2A 6W9 C: 403.829.3158 www.completerealestategroup.com

O: 403.930.8555 E: mark@completerealestategroup.com www.completerealestategroup.com